This velvet-lined black leatherette
case contains example (dummy) radium needles and tubes of the type
distributed by the Radium Chemical Company of New York City. It would have
been used by a salesman to show a prospective buyer the various
alternatives.

Needles were intended to be inserted directly into the diseased tissue,
whereas tubes were used for intracavity therapy, or superficial therapy
wherein they were placed on the surface of the body.

The text in the case is self explanatory. Note however that a
reference to 1, 2, 5, 10 etc milligrams refers to the amount of radium-226
that the needle or tube was designed to hold. For what its worth, one
milligram of Ra-226 is essentially the same as one millicurie of Ra-226.
As a rule, approximately one milligram of radium was used per cc of
irradiated tissue. The examples in this case are made of platinum and gold
but other materials were also used, e.g., steel, and monel metal.

Needles and tubes were either "American Type" or
"European Type." With "American Type" needles
and tubes, the radium was sealed directly inside. "European
Type" needles and tubes, on the other hand, would hold smaller
containers called cells in which the radium was sealed. If damaged, the
American type devices were more likely to leak, but they could hold more
radium than a European type device of the same outer dimensions.

Needles

These are "American Type" needles.

Although it is difficult to see, the top two needles in
the photo to the right have Trocar points (three flat sides). The bottom
two needles have conical points.

The eyelets for the thread in the top two needles are
standard Rainure eyelets (the hole is at the bottom end of a
groove). The bottom two needles use Bulldog eyelets (a simple hole
drilled through the end of the tube).

Tubes

The tubes in the photo are "American Type."

Needles were somewhat more versatile than tubes, but as the text
indicates, the tubes would hold more radium.

While it can't be seen in the photo, the top two tubes use standard
Rainure eyelets while the bottom tube employs a bulldog eyelet .

Gold Sheath Needles

The two needles in the photo to the right are "European Type"
needles which would contain one or more cells. Unfortunately,
the cell in the display case is missing. If present, it would look like a
solid metal wire or tube. It would not have a point or eyelet.

The trocar tips are identified as being
"platinum-iridium." As a rule, this meant 90% platinum and 10%
iridium.